Diversity buffers against functional changes No one species fills all the roles (functions) of an ecosystem
Intricate webs of interacting organisms 2,000,000 species are known ~18,000 new species discovered per year estimated 87% of Eukaryotas unknown Reflects billions of ways organisms have adapted, over and over, to a changing planet biodiversity ’hot spots” exist Humans relentlessly alter ecosystems aquatic and terrestrial ~150 species go extinct each day
Change physical and biotic environment Aquatic ecosystems heavily affected Impacts outweigh natural extinction rates